Is this software still used?

[pokeefe0001]

A while ago I installed software to support a now unused external device. I've uninstalled the software, but found 4 other programs that were installed on the same date - 2 driver packages and 2 SQL Server modules:

Windows Driver Package - Silicon Laboratories (silabenm) Ports (10/18/2013 6.6.1.0)
Windows Driver Package - wch.cn (CH341SER_A64) Ports (06/03/2009 3.1.2009.06)

Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP2 CHS Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP2 x64 CHS Microsoft Corporation

If these 4 programs are used only by the uninstalled code, I'd like to remove them, too. But I don't know how to tell for sure.

I'm almost certain the driver packages are for the device - a USB-attached recording thermometer. But I'd hate to be wrong. Is there any way to tell if a specific driver is being used?

Same for the SQL server. I'd hate to pull the server code out from under an application needing it. I have read that the SQL Compact server doesn't run as a service but is embeded in an application. Obviously I can't look to see if the server is running. Is there any way to identify an SQL database?

 

[maxie]

Open System Information under Software Environment ... Click on System Drivers ...

That will list the Drivers ...

 

[pokeefe0001]

I hate to be dense, but I don't know where to find "System Environment". Is that another name for something in the Control Panel? Using the command line Driverquery command I have found the two drivers I mentioned. They are named silabenm and silabser. They are part of Silicon Labs CP210x support. And that is support for a "USB to USART Bridge" (USB to RS232c modem?).

However, I know I have the drivers installed. I want to find out if they are used. I'm almost certain I can safely remove that if I didn't need it until 3 months ago (when the drivers were installed), but I'd really like to know for sure.

 

[maxie]

In the search box type >>> System Information click to open ....

Once open on the left hand side you will see Software Environment ...

Click to expand then click on System Drivers ...

 

[pokeefe0001]

Ah! The search box in the "Start" popup. Perhaps obvious to most people, but not to me. Anyway, that list of drivers is mostly the same as I found from the Driverquery command. It shows the two drivers are installed and are in the kernel. But I already knew they were installed. It says they are not started, so I guess they haven't been used yet - since the last boot.

When I get brave enough I think I'll just delete them and see what happens.

 

[maxie]

Yes but why Delete them ? ...

 

[pokeefe0001]

If they were installed only to support software I no longer need, I see no reason they should be cluttering up my system.

 

[maxie]

Fair enough can not see that they would be taken up a lot of space though ...

 

[pokeefe0001]

Philosophical dislike of bloatware. I can't do much about it when it's from Microsoft (or any other vendor), but when it's self-inflicted I want to clean it up. The amount of storage involved is trivial, and the likelihood of the software being malicious or otherwise dangerous is miniscule, but I just don't want it around.

 

[maxie]

I quite understand